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Review

2005
Mitsubishi
Eclipse Review

Despite its sports car looks, it offers more of a comfortable ride than a dynamic one.

Reviewed by Automotive on
12/18/2005

Overview

With its distinct and edgy styling, the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse serves as a sporty coupe that delivers respectable performance for a reasonable price. The Eclipse offers decent drivability and a comfortable ride.

For 2005, Mitsubishi has made the Eclipse available in three trim levels: GS, GT, and GTS.

What's New

For 2005, Mitsubishi introduces a new Remix Edition package for the Eclipse. The package features a unique steering wheel and shift knob, leather front seats, an Infinity stereo with a six-disc CD changer and a 210-watt amp, 16-inch alloy wheels, a chrome exhaust tip, color-keyed door mirrors, and a Remix Edition badge. Mitsubishi also does away with the base RS trim.

Exterior

In 2003, Mitsubishi made modifications to the Eclipse’s appearance, restyling the front end with a new urethane fascia. Apart from that one modification, the 2005 Eclipse looks a lot like models from the early 2000s. It has composite taillights with three lamps behind clear lenses, 16-inch aluminum wheels and a rear spoiler on the GS, and fin-spoke 17-inch wheels on both the GT and GTS. The GT also adds a chrome exhaust tip and fog lights, while the GTS adds a sunroof and a rear window wiper.

Standard equipment across the line includes power mirrors, an anti-theft system, auto-off headlights, and alloy wheels.

Interior

For such an exciting looking model, the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse boasts a rather dull interior. The cockpit looks symmetrical and makes use of low-grade plastics. The audio system has a top-mounted display that, while unique, proves difficult to operate as it requires you to look down at the buttons while using it. The front seats feel too soft and not supportive enough, while the back seat is just cramped.

All models come with power windows, power locks, air-conditioning, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, and a CD player. The base GS also features cruise control, remote keyless entry, and a split-folding rear seat. The line-topping GTS comes with leather seat covers, a power driver’s seat, and a 210-watt seven-speaker Infinity sound system with a dash-mounted CD changer. A Remix package for the GS starts new for 2005. It features a unique steering wheel and shift knob, leather interior, the same stereo as the GTS, and special Remix Edition badging.

Performance & Handling

With its sleek looks and low profile, it would be easy to think of the Eclipse as a high-performance sports car. But that’s not the case. However, the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse does offer a pleasant, smooth driving experience, particularly when outfitted with the V-6 engine. In fact, even the four-cylinder provides adequate power. The 2005 Eclipse comes up short in terms of real athleticism around the corners and perhaps seems more suitable for an easy cruise around town or on the highway than an all-out, corner-hugging run. Also, the suspension falls on the soft side.

The GS draws power from a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that generates 147 horsepower with the manual transmission and 142 hp with the four-speed automatic. The GT comes equipped with a 3.0-liter V-6 with 200 horses. The GTS also contains a muscular V-6 with 210 horsepower. Both the five-speed manual and the four-speed automatic transmission remain available for all three trim levels.

When powered by the optional V-6 engine, the Eclipse also delivers a reasonable amount of power. However, it has a floating feel to its steering and it lacks the raw power of many other models in its class. Still, the 2005 Eclipse makes a good option for anyone looking for a comfortable, attractive coupe that moves reasonably fast.

Safety

Unfortunately, only the top trim GTS comes with anti-lock brakes, side airbags, and traction control. However, the 2005 Mitsubishi Eclipse earns four out of five stars in government crash tests for driver and front-passenger protection against frontal impacts and five out of five stars for side-impact protection.